Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave Tour from San Ignacio
Overview
Available languages
7 hours
Mobile ticket
This is a unique ceremonial cave exploration tour, an experience of a lifetime! You get to immerse into this impressive cave system once used by the ancient Maya to perform sacrificial rituals. You will be accompanied by a professionally trained, licensed tour guide. To access this ceremonial site you swim, follow underground tunnels, passageways and burial chambers decorated with stalactites, stalagmites, and ancient clay pottery.
This tour begins at 8:00am and concludes around 3:00pm.
Additional Info
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Child rate applies only when sharing with 2 paying adults
Children must be accompanied by an adult
A minimum of 2 (two) people per booking is required
Subject to favorable weather conditions. If canceled due to poor weather, you will be given the option of an alternative date or the option to do a different tour (surcharges may apply)
Not available for children shorter than 40" in height.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
ATM Cave is located within the Tapir Mountain Nature Reserve. It's located approximately one hour drive south east of San Ignacio Town in the Teakettle Village. A thirty minute hike through jungle trails and river crossings will bring you to the entrance of the cave. A short swim, approximately 15 feet allows access to “Xibalba” the Maya underworld. From here you will be guided by your headlamp, navigating your way through the cave to the main plaza, where burial chambers can be found. Along the way you will learn about the sacrificial ceremonies that took place in this sacred place thousands of years ago. Intact calcified remains, ancient artifacts and altars where Maya leaders would make blood offerings, tell the story of what once took place. You will return to your hotel or resort mid-afternoon with stories to tell of your adventure and memories to last a lifetime.
Sample Menu
main
Belizean BBQ Chicken
BBQ Chicken, served with the traditional Belizean Rice & Beans, Fried Plantains, Flour Tortillas, and Cole Slaw.
What‘s Included
Equipment
Bottled water
Professional guide
Towels
Park Entrance Fees
Lunch and refreshments are included. Do let us know if there are any dietary restrictions or preferences we should know about.
Transportation
Hotel pickup and drop-off (selected hotels only)
Gratuities
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Options
Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave Tour from San Ignacio
Pickup included
Reviews
61 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Dimas you are AWESOME!
Alicia F,Mar 8, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00This was truly the most incredible experience we have ever had! What a honor to walk in Mayan foot steps and experience the sacredness of the cave. Our guide Dimas was AMAZING!! He was a wealth of knowledge, excellent in guiding us safely through the cave and we truly enjoyed our conversations with him. 10/10 recommend!
Magical, strenuous and wet
58sarip,Feb 27, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Hector is a real professional. He was careful, friendly, patient and knowledgeable. The tour is physically challenging and very wet.
ATM great experience
F2664PKwilliamm,Feb 21, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Excellent tour. A spectacular cave in which you swim, hike, crawl, and squeeze through tight areas to view huge underground caverns and thousands of actual Mayan artifacts, including bowls and bones. Hector, our guide was very knowledgeable, and helped us get through the cave every step of the way. Towels, helmets, headlights, water, and life preservers are provided, as well as a huge delicious lunch.
best experience
sea-moon-e,Feb 3, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Thank you for an incredible great day at the ATM caves. Everything was organized perfectly from pick up to lunch. The friendliness and expertise of drivers and guides were outstanding and made our tour one of the best experiences in Belize.
Adventure & informative!
Mike henders,Jan 27, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a great tour to the ATM cave. The pickup process was on time and everything went to schedule. We arrived to the cave around 8am which was fantastic as we were ahead of the other groups. We felt very safe doing this tour and we learnt a lot. Some parts were a bit tricky/physical but it really is suited to most fitness levels/abilities. I would book through these guys again!
A travel trifecta!
patriciapV2481JY,Jan 24, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Mayan history, geology and adventure! The ATM experience is exhilerating, and we highly recommend Cayo Inland services, who provided an excellent guide, Hector, whose knowledge and expertise made the day interesting and safe, and a jovial and attentive driver, Wayne, who made sure it all came together as needed. Good advice from Ruben at the office in town to go early and beat the crowds. A must-do in San Ignacio.
This tour is a must when...
Janina E,Jan 24, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00This tour is a must when you visit Belize. Don’t be scared of the cold water, it’s not bad at all. You learn so much about the Mayan culture and the lunch that’s included is delicious (and not just a little sandwich but a full meal). Highly recommend!
Mayan underworld
336krzysztoff,Jan 20, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The trip starts from crosing the river in the jungle. Next swimming in the cave with stalagmits, stalactics and crystals. The end gives chance to feel Mayan’s belive. The upper level is full of ceramics and other gifts offered to the gods. It includes human sacrifice. It gives opportunity to see the world through the eyes of Mayan. Guides were very good. Only minus to crowded sometimes in the narrow cave. To many groups same time. Earlier is better.
Definitely worth doing the ATM caves.
colleenpower4,Jan 15, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Cayo Inland Expeditions were responsive, easy to book with and provided very good guides, Dimas and Hector. Our day ran smoothly, was not rushed, and I felt safely supervised at all times. The tour itself was more challenging than I expected (even though most descriptions I’d read were fairly accurate) as Belize seems to allow people to take more risk than my country of Canada. I highly recommend doing the ATM caves if you are interested in adventure with some physical risk and in learning about ancient Mayan culture.
Adventure of a lifetime
Kristina C,Jan 12, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00We got so lucky that the caves reopened after being flooded for a whole week before. What an adventure! We were swimming and finding our footing in the deep cave - so exhilarating! We saw remains from over a thousand years ago at the very end. Delicious lunch was provided afterwards. Make sure you have eaten and are hydrated before heading into the cave - it will be a while before you eat and drink. No cell phones allowed. Our tour guide was amazing, funny, and very knowledgeable.
From US$140.00
Want a private experience? Upgrade to a private tour
Related Experiences
Operated by Cayo Inland Expeditions